Any UK Optometrists Out There? Advice re COVID-19

[Ally T]

I am due a contact lense check. I called them today to raise concerns about having the examination, as I will have a man breathing inches from my face, plus during the eye exam he will lift up my eyelids & then also pull down my lower lashes when looking at eye health. She told me, quite abruptly, that they are taking precautions & if I DON'T attend, my next 3 months supply of contact lenses will not be delivered.

Is this reasonable? Any UK Optometrists out there who could give me some advice, as the internet isn't up to speed on this particular issue yet.

 

[OoohShiny]

I guess you are in the hands of their Health and Safety precautions - I presume that any staff working in that close proximity will be washing their hands and equipment with sanitising gel / wipes and using a mask, for their own protection as well as their patients'!

 

[missy]

Alex I am not home and typing from my phone waiting for my PT appointment. Quickly found a link for you. I’ll weigh in later with my thoughts.

COVID-19 Information

The American Optometric Association (AOA) is closely monitoring developments and is actively providing updates regarding COVID-19 to doctors of optometry and the general public.

www.aoa.org

 

[missy]

I do think they’re being unreasonable and if you make an appointment after all has calmed down they should give you lenses to hold you over. As long as you’re not having an issues re your eyes and contact lenses.

I mean if this is not an urgent matter it should wait. Better not to be out and about exposed to others for a routine issue. IMO

 

[Arcadian]

UK optical practices feel the business impact of COVID-19

Practice owners express business concerns as coronavirus outbreak develops

www.aop.org.uk

https://www.aop.org.uk/ I believe this at least one of the governing bodies for the UK
https://www.optical.org/ this is another

Right now, if you don't want to go. Tell them you're not feeling well. Pretty sure that will make them reschedule you.

Do you have backup glasses? Because you might need them.

 

[rainydaze]

Two of my kids had eye appointments next week. Those were two of the first that I cancelled. Next up was a well check in a location that shares a waiting room with the practice's Immediate Care facility.

I know that doesn't offer you any advice or resolution. I'm posting just to you let you know your thought process is not out of line. Our barber shop just announced that they will close for the next two weeks and make sure to do everything they can to get everyone who had appointments during that time in when they reopen. Some other local shops have also started closing. It's unreasonable IMO for your optometrist to hold you hostage and not respect your concerns, especially as you say you will be in close contact and using equipment that others have put their eyes and breath on (no matter how diligent the office is with cleaning, this is not a risk people should be taking at this time).

 

[rocks]

Are there liability issues for the optometrist if they approve the renewal without an exam?

 

[Ally T]

Are there liability issues for the optometrist if they approve the renewal without an exam?

I don't know, actually. I'm going to call them again tomorrow. I do have glasses & I also have a few weeks of lenses left, as I get quantity for daily wear but sometimes just wear glasses at weekend. I might tell them they can keep their lenses. Under the current climate & the new restrictions imposed by our government today to cease all non-essential travel, if they don't respect the position I am in with my mother then they don't deserve my money.

 

[Austina]

Do you have a prescription for the lenses that’s less than 6 months old? Because I think you can order them online if you do.

 

[Ally T]

Do you have a prescription for the lenses that’s less than 6 months old? Because I think you can order them online if you do.

Sadly, no. I only have my contact lense check every 2 years due to the stability of my vision.

However.... a friend of mine who is a Respiratory Dr (and keeping me sane with her calm reassurance despite preparing for the upcoming workload) has tweeted her disgust at the company (I am not on Twitter) They have responded to ask for my personal contact details, to see if there is a way of bypassing the test for a few months. As much as I hate technology, sometimes it can be brilliant & here's hoping they can help me out, so that I don't have to be tested just yet given the situation with mum. I'd like to be able to see what I'm doing!

 

[Austina]

Hopefully that’ll sort it out @Alex T

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

time to find a new optometrist !
well once the current situation has calmed down - when ever that will be

i feel anxiety for people who live in the UK
if you have to just go back to glasses for a while, don't risk getting sick despite all this herd bussiness

with Gary's illness we have spent about 9 months at the hospital eye clinic and never ever felt the Doc (we only have one eye consultant at our hospital) was nothing except completly proffesional

 

[missy]

I don't know, actually. I'm going to call them again tomorrow. I do have glasses & I also have a few weeks of lenses left, as I get quantity for daily wear but sometimes just wear glasses at weekend. I might tell them they can keep their lenses. Under the current climate & the new restrictions imposed by our government today to cease all non-essential travel, if they don't respect the position I am in with my mother then they don't deserve my money.

So all the Optometry offices here have closed and I imagine they are all going to close by you soon too. They should give you a supply to hold you over til it is safer to get your eye exam as long as you haven't been having any contact lens issues. And if you aren't sure just wear your glasses if necessary. But again I stand by my original comment yesterday. I am retired but I was an optometrist and under these circumstances yes I would extend the CL Rx if the patient was not having any problems. Though the difference is in the USA we generally do CL exams once a year and not once every 2 years but still.

Hang in there @Alex T these are strange times indeed and everyone is learning as we go. Mainly just stay well you and your DH and the girls and your parents etc. Everything else will fall into place. One day at a time. And hopefully this too shall pass. (((Hugs))).

 

[Tekate]

My husband's opthamologist cancelled his cataract surgery till May.

 

[VRBeauty]

I picked up some recently ordered glasses yesterday. The office had canceled all exams for the remainder of March.

 

[Ally T]

So as a result of my Dr friend engaging the company on Twitter, today they have contacted me to let me know they will be sending me 3 months of lenses immediately & allowing me grace with the appointment. We will re-address the situation then for the eye exam, but as you maybe aware, the UK is slowly starting the process of lockdown & things are changing on a daily basis, in a drastic attempt to halt the spread. So by then the situation may be different yet again.

Stay safe out there, everyone. Big hugs.